Imagine a monochrome world. The neverending cycle of work, sleep, and nourishment- entrapping its victims in a sense of progress and sustainability. A sorrowful state to live in. Nonetheless, a splash of color is a potential. Living for your soul, rather than your body. Hobbies are the key to filling the world with color. After a long day, open a book, take a walk, or open your notebook. To have some time alone to perfect a skill you have passion in. 

In a world where stress is normalized, one must find a way to relax. An effective way to do so is through hobbies. One way this is how hobbies allow you to escape to a safe place, a comfortable state of mind. 

As stated by Savannah Kefaliotis, a student at Tahoma High School, “If I’m stressed out about a test and I can’t calm down, I sit and I read. Takes me to a new world where all of my problems vanish and I am left with only the characters in the books.” 

For her, books are a sanctuary to destress about various anxiety-inducing topics in her life. Similarly, others can relate. Busy with their pastime, to the point where it can help with overthinking and fretting too much. 

Additionally, hobbies are an excellent way to connect with your community. Connecting with your peers can be rough. Communication is difficult when everyone feels so distant and so different. However, learning that everyone is not as disconnected as you imagined can help with feeling comfortable building a relationship with them. 

For example, Diego Chavez, a student at Tahoma High School stated, “Hobbies have helped me get connected with people who have similar interests, allowing me to be a part of a community.” 

Each niche or popular hobby has a community in itself. After all, a conversation about something both parties are passionate about can last far longer than a random one. Plus, some hobbies require people to socialize with one another, causing them to form integral bonds and lifelong friends. 

Overall, past times united everyone with a web of fine lines.